| Very sad news to report today. From the Austin American-Statesman, we learn that prominent Democratic consultant Kelly Fero has died today: Kelly Fero, a well-known Democratic Party political consultant and strategist, was found dead at his North Austin home this afternoon, friends confirmed just a few minutes ago. Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said Fero’s wife, Mary, told her he was found after she went home early from work to check on him. “She had been concerned about him because he wasn’t feeling well,” DeBeauvoir said. “It’s true. He is gone.” The cause of death was pending. Elna Christopher, a friend who had worked with Fero, said arrangements were pending late this evening.
The Texas Tribune has more on Fero's career: Fero was best known as an Austin-based consultant to John Sharp, Tony Sanchez, the late Jim Mattox and many, many others. He was a talented writer, a top-notch researcher, and had a repuation for smashmouth quotes and sharp elbows that earned him strong friends and strong enemies. He preceded that political business with a career as a writer, working at the now-defunct Third Coast magazine in Austin and even authoring a nonfiction book on a notorious string of killings, called The Zani Murders. And he was a drummer in a rock band that never quite made the big time (though it did make it to YouTube). Fero left journalism to write for and strategize with then-Attorney General Jim Mattox, and later joined then-Comptroller John Sharp, working in his state office for years and playing a central role in Sharp's unsuccessful campaigns for lieutenant governor. He consulted with Sanchez — the head of a Democratic "dream team" he and Sharp and others put together in 2002 — while also working on Sharp's campaign that year. In between, before and since, he consulted Democrats on the local and state levels in Texas and other states, becoming one of the best-known Democratic strategists in Texas. The Austin American-Statesman profiled him in 2008. And blogger and fellow consultant Nate Wilcox did a long interview with Fero later that same year.
Kelly Fero made a tremendous impact on Texas politics over his lifetime, especially among Democrats. We will post more information on details in the coming days, as we learn more about the services. I'm being told that many Austin Democrats -- who were gathering tonight for the Travis County dinner/fundraiser that marks the end of the filing period -- are only learning about the news now. We encourage anyone who wishes to leave their regards for Fero to e-mail us (press@burntorangereport.com) so we may pull them all together for a post tomorrow. In the mean time, our heartfelt condolences go out to Mary, his wife, as well as his family and friends. |
